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tavilach · Feb 7, 2004, 09:19 PM

I'm going to college next fall, and will want to occasionally video chat with the family.

What is better...to get a $300 camcorder that I can use as a camcorder and a webcam, or an iSight?

I'm thinking that I might want to pursue video creation as a hobby...

But then, is just a camcorder with a PowerBook enough? I have a PC right now (shh!), so I haven't used iMovie much...is it enough for the needs of a beginner (but a beginner who happens to be a techie)?

Maybe I would want to get Final Cut Express 2, too?

Hmm.

Because then that adds up to $450, versus a simple $150...

But if I don't need extra software, and I'm okay with just the camcorder and iMovie to start out with, then it seems logical to get the camcorder, no? Amazon has some great $300 camcorders...

I've never had a camcorder before, but I've always wanted one.

Also, if I get a camcorder, I'm sure I'll have to wait a while before I get a new Palm Pilot or my first iPod...but I think I'm fine listening to my music on my computer (I don't go out too much...that'll probably change in college, though), and I wouldn't want to break the iPod, either (so I'd never bring it anywhere).

And I guess a m515 is suitable at the moment? I just sort of want a Palm Pilot/Phone, like a Treo 700 (

) or so...meh...

spiky_dog · Feb 7, 2004, 11:09 PM

a camcorder is much more useful than an isight imo. and imovie is adequate. upgrade only when you need to, don't plan yourself into a funk

Eug · Feb 7, 2004, 11:18 PM

Camcorder. Why spend 50% of the cost of a camcorder on an iSight when you know you want a camcorder? You'll just need a cheap tripod or beanbag to put the camcorder on for iSight functionality.

By the way, mine comes with a remote. You can zoom in and out on yourself for iChat.

SOLIDAge · Feb 7, 2004, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by tavilach:
Also, if I get a camcorder, I'm sure I'll have to wait a while before I get a new Palm Pilot or my first iPod...but I think I'm fine listening to my music on my computer (I don't go out too much...that'll probably change in college, though), and I wouldn't want to break the iPod, either (so I'd never bring it anywhere).

you sad sad child
why deprive yourself of an iPod, which is vastly more important ;-)
atleast in my eyes
i don't know where i'd be w/o my iPod.

tavilach · Feb 8, 2004, 01:12 AM

Originally posted by SOLIDAge:
you sad sad child
why deprive yourself of an iPod, which is vastly more important ;-)
atleast in my eyes
i don't know where i'd be w/o my iPod.

Hehe.

Well, you see, I know myself, and I'd be so overprotective that I'd never even use it...you know?

Frumpy · Feb 8, 2004, 09:10 AM

I've had a digital camcorder since the day iChat AV came out, and ever since...i've wanted an iSight. While the camcorder does give you a better picture, it's always over to the side. I would REALLY like to get my camcorder right over my iMac. Someone should come out with a stand for camcorders to sit around the same position over your iMac. Nothing that mounts to it or anything, just something that makes it hover over the base. NOT TO MENTION that there's some set up involved with a camcorder. I'm a convienence freak, so that pisses me off having to get it out every time i want to video chat. Although i must say i have about 5-7 people on my buddy list who can audio chat, and only 3-5 of them can do video. If you can't tell i'm still very conflicted about it myself. P.S. the iSight is only $129 with your educational discount at the Apple Store online or retail.

tavilach · Feb 8, 2004, 04:21 PM

$129 is the same as $150 in my opinion

...

Eh, but a camcorder is so much cooler!

I'd only be video chatting with my family maybe once a month...so would it really matter if it's off to the side? And who cares that I have to get it out, in that situation.

Agh, but camcorder is also hella more expensive.

tavilach · Feb 11, 2004, 03:19 AM

Come to think of it, is there any sort of stand for camcorders that would center my camcorder like an iSight? I don't really know how that would work...but hey, you never know...

Frumpy · Feb 11, 2004, 07:20 AM

All you really need is some kind of U-shaped stand that sits right over the base of the iMac. That would be perfect. I'm surprised no one has come up with something like that.

spiky_dog · Feb 11, 2004, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by tavilach:
Come to think of it, is there any sort of stand for camcorders that would center my camcorder like an iSight? I don't really know how that would work...but hey, you never know...

i would forgo the dead-center perspective and simply use a $20 tabletop tripod.

taldrich · Feb 12, 2004, 01:29 PM

OK stop right now. You might be a student, but credit's easy! Get iSight and a better camcorder. Use iMovie.

DO NOT DENY YOURSELF

tavilach · Feb 12, 2004, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by taldrich:
OK stop right now. You might be a student, but credit's easy! Get iSight and a better camcorder. Use iMovie.

DO NOT DENY YOURSELF

Excuse me?

I'm dishing out $2500 for a 15" PowerBook...I'm not denying myself...

But I know that I need to video chat...and I'm trying to be economical, judging by what I'll need to buy in the future, as well...

macxtal · Feb 12, 2004, 10:21 PM

I work with metal.. and have a camcorder and a powerbook. Maybe I can come up with something

.

tavilach · Feb 13, 2004, 12:09 AM

Originally posted by macxtal:
I work with metal.. and have a camcorder and a powerbook. Maybe I can come up with something .

aapljack · Feb 13, 2004, 05:27 PM

The problem I have always had using a dvcam is when you have to set it up and get it working. Moving all your junk around and trying to get the camera placed propery. The other problem I have run into is the camera powering itself off automatically. I'm sure you can turn this 'feature' off, but usually my vidchats are so spontaneous that I don't do any pre-configuring and then the whole chat ends up being disconnected and reconnecting over and over until you give up and just go back to text chat.

Just make sure you pre-config everything and the tripod idea is brilliant. I think I will pick one up at Best Buy tonite.

-b

Frumpy · Feb 14, 2004, 10:13 AM

And after all of this, i'm still thinking that even though i already have a DV camecorder, that an iSight would 1000 times more conveinient. Come on...IT WOULD!

tavilach · Feb 14, 2004, 07:44 PM

Originally posted by Frumpy:
And after all of this, i'm still thinking that even though i already have a DV camecorder, that an iSight would 1000 times more conveinient. Come on...IT WOULD!

But it's so expensive...for someone who would only video chat once every few weeks, is it really necessary?

blackbird_1.0 · Feb 15, 2004, 03:47 PM

^ I concurr.

cenutrio · Feb 15, 2004, 10:22 PM

I'm quite happy with my iSight and since the new iMovie does allow recording I'm happier. Cost me $129

tavilach · Feb 15, 2004, 11:41 PM

Originally posted by cenutrio:
I'm quite happy with my iSight and since the new iMovie does allow recording I'm happier. Cost me $129

But if you were in my position, and you had nothing yet, would you get the iSight or the camcorder?

ghotirking · Feb 15, 2004, 11:58 PM

I say if you're planning on getting in to video, get the DV cam. In the long run, the extra 'hassle' of setting it up for chats is outweighed by the mere fact that it's a DV camera to boot.
"Hold on sec b1gb00bz4u, I'm importing my dailies from today's shoot. As soon as that's done, we'll vidchat and discuss your part in my next video, mmmkay?"

tavilach · Feb 17, 2004, 01:27 AM

Originally posted by ghotirking:
I say if you're planning on getting in to video, get the DV cam. In the long run, the extra 'hassle' of setting it up for chats is outweighed by the mere fact that it's a DV camera to boot.
"Hold on sec b1gb00bz4u, I'm importing my dailies from today's shoot. As soon as that's done, we'll vidchat and discuss your part in my next video, mmmkay?"

Not looking into doing those kinds of videos

.

wreks · Feb 19, 2004, 12:37 AM

I was in the same boat on deciding which camera to get. I decided to just buy an isight off ebay. I want a dv cam too but right now I only want to spend like $350 max, that would be enough for a lower end model but I usually regret buying a low end model anything.

The isight will be nice for now, see how much I actually use the thing. When I end up buying a dv cam later I can always sell the isight, they seem to hold their value. Whereas dv cams are getting better and better, I can't see them doing too much with isight 2.0. But cool whatever you decide...

tavilach · Feb 19, 2004, 01:39 AM

Originally posted by wreks:
I was in the same boat on deciding which camera to get. I decided to just buy an isight off ebay. I want a dv cam too but right now I only want to spend like $350 max, that would be enough for a lower end model but I usually regret buying a low end model anything.

The isight will be nice for now, see how much I actually use the thing. When I end up buying a dv cam later I can always sell the isight, they seem to hold their value. Whereas dv cams are getting better and better, I can't see them doing too much with isight 2.0. But cool whatever you decide...

The thing with me is that I would never get a high end DV camera, given that I have absolutely no experience with them whatsoever. On Amazon, there are decent midrange cameras that would normally cost $450 - $700, so I'm thinking that's a pretty good deal

.

But I don't know...it's hard...gah!

If I keep waiting for DV cameras to get better, I'll never have one!

Frumpy · Feb 23, 2004, 08:13 AM

That's it. Today is the day. Now that i've found all of my windows buddies using iChat AV 2.1, i'm going out and buying an iSight. The camcorder is very nice, but i'm going to leave that to what it does best...taking video and placing it on a cassette for later use. For instant web chat gratification, i'm going with the iSight.

tavilach · Feb 23, 2004, 10:24 PM

Originally posted by Frumpy:
That's it. Today is the day. Now that i've found all of my windows buddies using iChat AV 2.1, i'm going out and buying an iSight. The camcorder is very nice, but i'm going to leave that to what it does best...taking video and placing it on a cassette for later use. For instant web chat gratification, i'm going with the iSight.

Since I have neither, however, what should I do? The video conferencing is more of a necessity, however I'd only be doing it once a month or so. The DV part is a luxury, but I'd be using it every day. Seems to me that it's the way to go.

Frumpy · Feb 23, 2004, 10:45 PM

Oh, My, God. The iSight is a lot better than i thought it would be. I can't believe i put up with that camcorder for so long. So much hassle to set up when someone would want to video chat. FInally i have the perfect equipment for the job. Every Mac owner with broadband should have one.

tavilach · Feb 24, 2004, 12:56 AM

Originally posted by Frumpy:
Oh, My, God. The iSight is a lot better than i thought it would be. I can't believe i put up with that camcorder for so long. So much hassle to set up when someone would want to video chat. FInally i have the perfect equipment for the job. Every Mac owner with broadband should have one.

Please see my above reply...if you were me, and you didn't have a camcorder, which one would be more beneficial (above I state what being me entails).

Frumpy · Feb 24, 2004, 12:59 AM

Well, if you're going to be taking more video using DV, then obviously go with the camcorder. I'm just saying that EVENTUALLY, you'll end up with both. But buy the one that is going to be the most beneficial to you right NOW. That would be the camcorder. Worry about the iSight later when you can't take the fact that you have to pull out your camcorder just to do a nice quick video chat.

tavilach · Feb 26, 2004, 03:12 AM

Originally posted by Frumpy:
Well, if you're going to be taking more video using DV, then obviously go with the camcorder. I'm just saying that EVENTUALLY, you'll end up with both. But buy the one that is going to be the most beneficial to you right NOW. That would be the camcorder. Worry about the iSight later when you can't take the fact that you have to pull out your camcorder just to do a nice quick video chat.

Sounds good to me.